UNREST IN SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1929, Page 1

UNREST IN SAMOA

THE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT.

WELLINGTON, August 1(5

The political situation in Samoa is referred to by the Administrator of Samoa in his annual report, which was tabled in the,House of Representatives. Colonel Allen says that the attitude of the Mau has changed during. the year from one of ostentation and aggression to a more subdued iform, but some difficulty in dealing with it persists. To effect arrests on any charge is rendered difficult by the offender either running away to the bush, or being concealed by his friends, and though the criminal law has been fairly well enforced there are still a number of offenders at large. Collection of taxes by civil process has been impossible to deal with in any large number, and the more prominent individuals only had been singled out for attention.

“ Though the position is, of course, by no means satisfactory, it is, on the other hand, easy to exaggerate the difficulties of the present situation,” says the Administrator. “ Except for the collection of native taxes, the Administration may be said to be functioning with reasonable efficiency. The country, with negligible exceptions, is quiet and orderly, and trading figures for the year clearly indicate that the Mau movement has had no seriously detrimental effect upon the material prosperity of the natives or upon the country as a whole. Native unrest' still continues and the Mau organisation still contains some two-tliirds of the

native population. This is reflected in the revenue from native taxes, which has produced for the year ended March 31, 1924, £6343 out of an estimated return of £19,400. However, the activities of the Administration on behalf of the Samoan population by way of education and medical treatment have been fully maintained.”